Posted on 11/01/2001 7:34:05 AM PST by LikeLight
Collegian held after mail scare
Notes claimed anthrax sent at Dickinson
Thursday, November 01, 2001
By Elizabeth Gibson Of Our Carlisle Bureau
CARLISLE (PA) -- A Dickinson College senior has been charged with carrying out an anthrax scare that caused college students and staff to believe the bacteria was sent through the campus mail.
Police arrested Andrew James Theodorakis, 21, of Stoney Brook, N.Y., yesterday morning and charged him with making terroristic threats and causing a catastrophe, among other counts. He was in Cumberland County Prison last night in lieu of $250,000 bail.
"It's a great disappointment for other members of the community to find out that one of our own may have been responsible," said Robert Massa, Dickinson's vice president of enrollment, student life and college relations.
At Dickinson, mailroom workers went through decontamination, shedding clothes and leaving behind purses and other personal items after powder was found in a mail bin about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Investigators found two envelopes containing powder and handwritten notes saying, "You now have anthrax. Prepare to die."
According to an affidavit filed yesterday at District Justice Susan Day's office, a student witness "observed [Theodorakis] writing letters and placing baking soda within the letters. [The witness] tried to talk him out of mailing the letters."
Carlisle Mayor Kirk Wilson said students came forward after the threats forced the closing of the college's Holland Union Building, which houses mail and dining facilities and other student services.
The affidavit also said college President William Durden called Theodorakis after students came to him saying they had information about the envelopes.
Wilson said Theodorakis, a political science major and fraternity officer, was arrested at the college's Kline Center without incident.
Police said if Theodorakis is convicted on all charges, he could be fined $130,000 and serve 64 years in prison.
Wilson said if the case goes to federal court, penalties could be more severe. Federal charges could be brought because the FBI was involved with the investigation, he said.
The building on Dickinson campus was still sealed off and guarded by security as I drove by about an hour ago. Stupid kid. 64 years in prison. Wow.
They don't want to know unless it leans to the ..................................right.
"I did it to show the authorities just how bankrupt the emergency services programs are. I should be thanked, not prosecuted, for this community service. This action forced bigoted and racist emergency services to recognize that they must do more to protect minorities, women, and children everywhere. I am being profiled and targeted because, as you can see by my name, I am a proud ethnic minority who has seen fit to challenge the fascist, racist government."
Okay, now, does that push all of the proper liberal buttons? That should get the little thug off.
sarcasm ... off
I had to go back and re-read the article...I thought I musta missed that "quote" you posted!
Back to work now the boss cometh. Thanks for the chortle.
It would seem that the building is still cordoned off because they could not get any information from him as to what he put in the envelopes.
His uncooperativeness will go down very poorly with the local DA. There will be no plea bargaining with this joker - they'll throw the book at him.
Glad your not sitting on the bench anywhere. This man should be sent to jail for a minimum of 5 years. No parole. No exceptions. He should also be made to pay the cost of the clean up - no doubt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Excuse me if I don't buy into your touchy, feely we should let him see what it is like to be on a hazmat team suggestion of "punishment." It is long past time to get serious.
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